CVE-2023-33868 in M-Bus SoftwarePack 900S
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2023
The number of login attempts is not limited. This could allow an attacker to perform a brute force on HTTP basic authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33868 represents a critical weakness in authentication mechanisms that directly undermines the security posture of systems relying on HTTP basic authentication. This flaw manifests as the complete absence of login attempt rate limiting or account lockout functionality, creating an environment where malicious actors can systematically test numerous username and password combinations without restriction. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of weak authentication practices and specifically aligns with CWE-307, which addresses inadequate account lockout mechanisms. The absence of such protections creates an open invitation for automated brute force attacks that can systematically exhaust all possible credential combinations until successful access is achieved.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the fundamental design flaw in authentication systems that fail to enforce reasonable limits on authentication attempts. When HTTP basic authentication is employed without rate limiting, each failed login attempt is processed without any throttling mechanism, allowing attackers to leverage automated tools to rapidly iterate through password lists, dictionary attacks, or rainbow table combinations. This vulnerability directly enables credential stuffing attacks where attackers can test credentials across multiple accounts simultaneously, and it particularly affects systems where authentication is exposed to the internet or where weak passwords are prevalent. The operational impact is severe as it can result in complete system compromise within a relatively short timeframe, especially when combined with the availability of precomputed password databases and automated attack frameworks.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security risks including potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within compromised networks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, and complete compromise of the affected infrastructure. The vulnerability also enables attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities by systematically testing valid usernames and passwords, thereby mapping the authentication landscape of the target environment. Organizations relying on HTTP basic authentication without proper rate limiting are particularly vulnerable to attacks from threat actors with significant computational resources or those utilizing cloud-based attack infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-33868 must focus on implementing robust authentication controls including the enforcement of login attempt limits, account lockout mechanisms, and the implementation of adaptive authentication policies. Systems should be configured to limit the number of consecutive failed login attempts before temporarily locking accounts or requiring additional verification steps. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication as a defense-in-depth strategy, as well as monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious login patterns. The implementation of these controls aligns with the principle of least privilege and follows established security frameworks such as those recommended in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that authentication mechanisms remain robust against evolving attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper access control measures and highlights the need for organizations to regularly review and update their authentication policies to address emerging threats and maintain adequate security postures.